Because coughing serves a number of functions—from spreading infection to helping stabilize a life-threatening arrhythmia—the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) has published a consensus statement on managing it.

The statement is intended to provide physicians with useful information on managing cough as an important defense mechanism that clears airways of excessive secretions or foreign materials and as a symptom of such diseases as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bronchitis, and bronchogenic carcinoma.